To Edwin Newman, nothing so much epitomizes the decline in standards of spoken English as the ever more pervasive retreat to "you know" and "I mean.” It distresses him that so many people "do not have the resources with which to express themselves,” and improving the way the language is spoken is Newman’s crusade.

Let the doors be open.” Uttered by the Speaker to start every day in the House of Commons, the words this time had special import: at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 17, the Commons opened its doors for the first time to electronic coverage of its proceedings.

Dear Mr. Markovic, the letter read, thank you very much for the goblet that was made for Stalin. The letter, in late September, was from Stanley Marcus, big boss of Neiman-Marcus, the Dallas, Texas, department store that makes Eaton’s look like a five-and-dime, and it was the signal that Joseph Markovic, 53, had finally arrived.By JOANNE KATES5 min

Every Issue. Ever.

The Complete Maclean’s Archive

Every Issue. Ever.

The story you want is part of the Maclean’s Archives. To access it, log in here or sign up for your free 30-day trial.
Experience anything and everything Maclean's has ever published — over 3,500 issues and 150,000 articles, images and advertisements — since 1905. Browse on your own, or explore our curated collections and timely recommendations.WATCH THIS VIDEO for highlights of everything the Maclean's Archives has to offer.